Queens Teen Accused Of Scaling Residential Tower At 432 Park Avenue
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A 17-year-old boy is accused of climbing a residential tower under construction on Park Avenue to photograph New York City's skyline.
Police arrested Demid Lebedev at his home in Queens on Monday after questioning him about Instagram photos from atop the tower. He's charged him with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass.
Police said Lebedev somehow managed to gain entry to the nearly completed luxury tower at 432 Park Avenue, between East 56th and 57th streets. Police didn't know what day the incident occurred.
Lebedev was arrested after police received a 911 call about trespassers on the premise. He said that he had actually been there more than a week earlier and that it was the pictures on his Instagram account that led police to him.
Lebedev told 1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon that he wanted to get a unique picture.
"Exhausting, but worth it," he said.
According to the building's website, it will be the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere when it's completed in 2015.
The teen describes himself on his Instagram account as an "urban historian." His account includes dozens of photos from various locations high above New York City.
Earlier this year, a New Jersey teen was arrested for climbing One World Trade Center.
Justin Casquejo was sentenced earlier this month to 23 days of service, a penalty set in a plea agreement this summer. He already completed the service – plus six extra days – and two sessions of youth counseling.
The 16-year-old admitted in July to breaking a city misdemeanor law against scaling tall buildings without permission.
Queens Teen Accused Of Scaling Residential Tower At 432 Park Avenue
About a week after his climb, three extreme-skydiving fans were arrested for a September leap off the World Trade Center tower.
The men were charged with burglary and reckless endangerment. A fourth man is accused of serving as the lookout.
The cases prompted concern from the mayor and other officials and spurred security changes at the trade center site.
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